The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, has awarded research grants totaling One Million, Five Hundred Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Five Ghana Cedis (GH₵1,500,935) to Twenty-Nine (29) academic staff members under its 10th cycle of the KNUST Research Fund (KReF).

The awards, comprising 23 multi-grants and six seed grants, span the university’s six colleges. The College of Engineering leads with eight awards, followed by the College of Science and the College of Health Sciences with five each. The Colleges of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Art and Built Environment received two awards each, while the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources received one.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei, Director of the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), highlighted the purpose of KReF, which was established in 2016.

“We have two aims for this fund: one, to promote innovative and impactful research by our staff through multi- and trans-disciplinary collaborations, and two, to provide a platform for our staff to master the art of developing winning proposals to attract external funding,” Prof. Antwi-Agyei explained.

He revealed that since 2016, KNUST has awarded 221 research grants worth close to GH₵6 million, noting that the latest disbursement reflects management’s growing commitment to research.

“In 2022, the ceiling for seed and multi-grants stood at GH₵15,000 and GH₵45,000, respectively. Today, they stand at GH₵30,000 for the Seed and GH₵60,000 for the Multi category. The overall budget has also expanded from GH₵1 million in 2022 to GH₵1.5 million in 2025,” he added.

Prof. Antwi-Agyei also acknowledged some challenges, particularly delays in the disbursement process, but assured that measures were being taken to streamline accounting and improve efficiency. He urged the awardees to deliver rigorous and impactful research that contributes to Ghana’s development.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, praised Prof. Antwi-Agyei and his team for their dedication, describing his tenure as inspiring and impactful.

“Especially when you love what you do and devote your whole life to it, the results show even through thick and thin,” Prof. Dickson said. “On behalf of management, staff, and the entire university, we thank you and your team for the selflessness and commitment you have invested in making KReF a success.”

She noted that the 10th cycle marks a significant milestone in the university’s research journey.

“From less than GH₵100,000 in 2016, KNUST has now spent close to GH₵7 million on internal research funding over the past decade. This is a strong statement of confidence in the capabilities of our researchers,” the Vice-Chancellor remarked.

While congratulating the 29 successful applicants, Prof. Dickson urged them to use the grants as a springboard to secure larger national and international funding.

“This seed money should catalyse to propel you to even bigger grants globally. Impactful research means finding solutions to the problems of our communities, our country, and the continent. Anything less than that, we have failed,” she charged.

The Multi Grant winners are Dr (Mrs) Efiba Vidda Senkyire Kwarteng, Geomatic Engineering; Dr Adwoa Owusuaa Bobie, Centre for Cultural and African Studies; Dr Prince Edem Dzakpasu, Teacher Education; Dr Daniel Adjah Anang, Chemical Engineering; Mr Prince Ebenezer Agyei, Computer Engineering; Dr Eugene Appiah-Effah, Civil Engineering; Dr. Sandra Kwarteng Owusu, Child Health School of Medical Sciences; Mr James Nketsiah, Anatomy; Mrs Harriet Atsufui Ahorsu, Geomatic Engineering; Dr Jeffery Kweku Dadson, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Dr Thomas Peprah Agyekum, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety; Dr (Mrs) Theresa-Samuelle Maame Atwemaah Adjaidoo, Computer Engineering; Dr Herman Erick Lutterodt, Food Science and Technology; Dr Bismark Kyei, Animal Science; Dr Henry Agbe, Materials Engineering; Dr Joseph Asankomah Bentil, Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Dr Adwoa Gyamfi, Public Health Nursing; Ing. Dr. (Mrs) Dorothy Araba Yakoba Agyapong, Computer Engineering; Dr Ing. Alexander Boakye Manful, Architecture; Dr Albert Banunle, Environmental Science; Dr Elizabeth Nana Mbrah Koomson-Yalley, Sociology and Social Work and Dr David Nartey Obemah, Environmental Science.

Dr Prince Junior Asilevi, Meteorology and Climate Science; Dr John Nii Adotey Addotey, Pharmaceutical Chemistry; Dr Elliot Sarpong Menkah, Chemistry; Dr George Dakurah, Geography and Rural  Development; Dr Philip Boadi Frimpong, Basic and Diagnostic Oral Health; and Dr (Mrs) Lydia Boampong Owusu, Public Health Nursing, received a Seed grant.

KNUST Research Fund Marks 10 Years of Impact

KNUST Research Fund (KReF) has invested nearly GH₵7 million in staff-led projects since its launch in 2016.

Over 10 funding cycles, KReF has supported 221 projects with 250 awards, spanning agriculture, health, engineering and social development. Grant sizes have grown from under GH₵100,000 in the first year to GH₵1.5 million in the latest cycle, reflecting management’s commitment to strengthening research.

The 2025 round awarded GH₵1,500,935 to 29 researchers, 19 of them women, underscoring the fund’s focus on early- to mid-career and female scholars. Selection remains competitive, with proposals reviewed by experts and the Scientific Review Committee to ensure transparency.

Outgoing Director of the Office of Grants and Research, Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei, said the growth of KReF had given staff confidence to compete for national and international grants. Vice-Chancellor Professor Rita Akosua Dickson described the fund as central to KNUST’s research mission and praised Prof. Antwi-Agyei’s advocacy for women and increased budgets.

From modest beginnings, KReF has become an internal engine for innovation and is set to remain a cornerstone of KNUST’s research agenda.